Refrigerated case with replaceable complete refrigerated unit



April 5 J J SCHMIDT ETAL 2,502,893

REFRIGElATED CASE WITH REPLACEABLE COMFLETE REFRIGERATED UNIT Filed March 4, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet -1 Fig .l.

Sjdaseph .lo/m Schmidt Lou/s L Popky JNVENTORS WWW MU,

April 4, 1950 J. J. SCHMIDT ET AL 2,502,893

REFRIGERATED CASE WITH REPLACEABLE v COMPLETE REFRIGERATED UNIT Filed March 4; 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4/// //////\//1 ///1//Ir\r 7/; 2

m Lou/s L. Popky JNVENTORS BY W WWW FM g April 4, 1950 J. J. SCHMIDT ETAL REFRIGERATED CASE WITH REPLACEABLE Filed March 4, 1948 COMPLETE REFRIGERATED UNIT 3 Sheets Sheet 3 Joseph John Schmidt Louis 1.. Papky INVENTORS Patented Apr. 4, 1 950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATED CASE WITH REPLACEABLE COMPLETE REFRIGERATED UNIT Joseph John Schmidt and Louis L. Popky, Wilkes- Barre, Pa., assignors to Fleetwood Airflow Incl, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., a corporation of Pc'nnsyb vania Application March 4, 1948, SerialNo. 12,958

6 Claims.

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in devices especially designed for maintaining certain articles cool.

An object of this invention is to refrigerate acompartment wherein devices, articles of food,

drink and the like may be maintained at a preselected temperature.

Another object of this invention is to cool the compartment by improved circulation within ahousing.

A still further object of this invention is todetaehably' support a cooling means within a housing, whereby the entire unit for cooling the interior of the housing may be easilya'ndreadily detached and removed.

A still further object of this invention is to humidity the interior of the housing by improved means.

Another object of thisinvention is to detachably support a compressor, motor therefore and Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 33 in Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially n the line 44 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the humidifying means forming a part of therpresent invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional detail of construction, taken substantially on the line lili in Figure 5 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure '7 is an enlarged sectional View illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8'in Figure 7 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 99 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 10 is a perspective view' illustrating'a 2 detail of a position utilized in association the invention, and;

Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective detail of construction showing a portion of the absorbent material and means for support therefore.

This invention has been developed to provide a device whereby the articles to be maintained with in a cool' condition may be properly humidified by extremely inexpensive means. It is another" prime purpose of the present invention to provide improved circulation and air flow within the housing, whereby direct impinging of the flowing air will not occur on the articles withinthe space provided therefore.

Further, it is one of the prime features of the present invention to slidably mount, an assem'-' blage' including a refrigerant compressor, motor for driving the compressor and a coil, whereby the entire unit may be removed from the hous ingin order to service the same.

Referring now primarily to Figurel one f0rm of the invention is illustrated in detail. Here a.

conventional fioor' it is illustrated with the usual: structure associated therewith and a housing I! is rested thereon. This housing is preferably of a decorative material and preferably one having insulatingqualities of merit. A liner i4 is supplied Within the said-housing and a conventional vision glass I6 is associated therewith. The usual doors [8' are associated with the back portion of the said housing I2 for lending access to the interior thereof.

A substantially U-shaped baffle 20 is secured within the said housing. III by any suitable means, preferably by utility of the'angle rails indicated at'2'2. This substantially U-shaped baffle has legs with sets of louvers 24 and respectively. The said louvers 26 open downwardly, while the said set of louvers '24 are opened in the same direction. However, due to the normal passage of air as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1, the'louvers" are oppositely facing relative to the direction of air flow. It will be noted that the upper portion of thesaid housing is unobstructed thereby permittingfree flow of air passage over the top por'-' tion of the display compartment immediatelybehind the said vision window l6.

A partition 28 is secured to the bottom 30' of the said housing and the said partition hasa platform 32 secured thereto. Anopposite end of the said platform 32 is secured to the liner, thence the housing by beingoperatively associated with the bearing block 34, which issecured directly to the liner and housing. Preferably beneath the. said'b'earing block 34 there is supplied an apertui'e 35 which may have a filtering screen 38 positioned therein.

A drip pan or tray 40 having a down curved spout portion 42 rests on the said platform 32 and has a conventional cooling coil 44 seated thereon. Of course, if it is found desirable the said cooling coil 44 may rest directly upon the drip pan or tray 40 or may be spaced therefrom by means of small legs or blocks 46. As is well known, the cooling coil 44 precipitates liquid or moisture from the air which drips onto the pan 40. This condensation is directed over the spout 42 and impinges upon a frame 48 which has absorbent material 50 extending thereacross. This material may be of any conventional description such as wick material, wadding between a pair of screens or others.

The frame including the wick or other absorbent material is utilized as a humidifier for the interior of the housing l2.

Referring now to Figure it will be seen that a pan 52 is supplied wherein the said wick bearing frame 48 is seated. This frame may be secured to conventional arcuate brackets 54 and 56 respectively by means of conventional lugs 58 extending from each side of the said frame 48. The lugs are then received in the arcuate slots formed in the said brackets 54 and 56 and a conventional wing nut 60 may be associated with each lug 58. Of course, the entire frame 43 may be lifted from the interior of the pan 52 to a position as illustrated in fantom in Figure 2, exterior of the said pan. In order to anchor the said brackets 54 and 56 respectively any suitable means may be utilized such as securing them firmly to the sides of the said pan 52.

In order to maintain a supply of liquid within the said pan 52, a drain line or tube 52 is secured thereto and communicates with the upper portion of the said pan 52. By this medium a constant supply of liquid may be maintained in the pan 52 and the overflow drained therefrom. The said tube 62 may obviously extend through the base or bottom of the said housing l2, then through the floor construction ID.

The entire coil including its appurtenant compressor 64, conventional motor 66 and other appurtenances contiguous thereto may be readily attached and detached within the said housing II. The said partition 28 cooperating with the said platform 32 forms a zone which is known as the case wherein a shelf or platform is slidably received. It is readily appreciated from inspection of Figure 1 that conventional tubing or other similar lines 12 and 14 respectively extend through the inlet and outlet side of the coil 44. These tubes are operatively connected with the appurtenances contiguous to compressing and pumping coolant.

Rails 13 and 80 are positioned on the said bottom or base 30 and secured thereto by any suitable means. Substantially U-shaped brackets or rails 82 and 84 respectively are rigidly secured to the said shelf or platform for cooperation with the said rails 18 and 85. By this means the entire shelf or platform Til may be slidably received in the said case and maintained in position until it is desired that the entire assemblage or unit should be removed. In order to firmly maintain the shelf or platform 10 within the case, conventional brackets 84 and 86 may be rigidly secured in the said bottom or base 30 for overlying the marginal edges of the said platform.

Means for impellin air within the housing is provided. The preferable means may be seen as a conventional fan generally indicated at 88 which is positioned in an aperture 89. The said aperture 89 is of course formed in a suitable partition 90 (see Figure 10) which fits firmly against the angle support 22 and the base or bottom 30. The specific fan mounting means comprises a pair of conventional brackets 92 and 94 respectively. It is noted that these brackets may be substituted by other conventional mountings if it is found desirable.

The fan of course urges air over the cooling unit 44 and it will be noted at this point that the platform or shelf 32 cooperating with the lower portion of the said U-shaped baffle 20 defines a restricted air passage for directing a rapid flow over the coils 44. Of course, the air is circulated through the passages defined by the legs of the said substantially U-shaped baffle and the sides of the housing l2 and over the upper portion of the display compartment as described above.

Referring now to Figure 7 it will be seen that a modified form of the invention is disclosed. This modified form includes a shut off plate 96 which covers the said aperture 89. A conventional manually adjustable 1ouver construction 98 is associated therewith for controlling the amount of air flowing through the device. Of course, a conventional thermostat and/or humidostat may be utilized for actuating a slightly different type of louver construction 98, if it is found desirable.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A cooler comprising a housing, a partition in said housing, a shelf secured to said partition forming a case thereunder, a platform, means for slidably securing said platform in said case, means secured to said platform and slidable therewith for compressing and circulating refrigerant, a coil connected with said compressing means, a tray seated on said shelf beneath said coil supporting said coil, a drip pan in the housing adjacent said case, a drain secured to said pan, and absorbent means mounted for adjustable movement in said pan.

2. A cooler comprising a housing, a partition in said housing, a shelf secured to said partition forming a case thereunder, a platform, means for slidably securing said platform in said case, means secured to said platform and slidable therewith for compressing and circulating refrigerant, a coil connected with said compressing means, a tray seated on said shelf beneath said coil supporting said coil, a drip pan in the hous-' ing adjacent said case, a drain secured to said pan, absorbent means mounted for adjustable movement in said pan, and means for locking said absorbent means in selected positions within said tray beneath the outlet of said drip pan and exterior of said drip pan.

3. A cooler comprising a housing, a partition in said housing, a shelf secured to said partition forming a case thereunder, a platform, means for slidably securing said platform in said case, means secured to said platform and slidable therewith for compressing and circulatin refrigerant, a coil connected with said compressing means, a tray seated on said shelf beneath said coil supporting said coil, a drip pan in the housing adjacent said case, a drain secured to said pan, absorbent means swingingly secured to said pan, means for locking said absorbent means in selected positions within said tray beneath the outlet of said drip pan and exterior of said drip pan, and air impelling means secured in said housing adjacent said absorbent means.

4. A cooler comprising a housing, a partition in said housing, a shelf secured to said partition forming a case thereunder, a platform, means for slidably securing said platform in said case, means secured to said platform and slidable therewith for compressing and circulating refrigerant, a coil connected with said compressing means, a tray seated on said shelf beneath said coil supporting said coil, a drip pan in the housing adjacent said case, a drain secured to said pan, absorbent means swingingly secured to said pan, means for locking said absorbent means in selected positions within said tray beneath the outlet of said drip pan and exterior of said drip pan, air impelling means secured in said housing adjacent said absorbent means, a substantially U-shaped bafi'le forming a display compartment secured in said housing, and said bafile being spaced from said shelf to form an air passage having said coil therein.

5. A cooler comprising a housing, a partition in said housing, a shelf secured to said partition forming a case thereunder, a platform, means for slidably securing said platform in said case, means secured to said platform and slidable therewith for compressing and circulating refrigerant, a coil connected with said compressing means, a tray seated on said shelf beneath said coil supporting said coil, a drip pan in the housing adjacent said case, a drain secured to said pan, absorbent means swingingly secured to said pan, means for locking said absorbent means in selected positions within said tray beneath the outlet of said drip pan and exterior of said drip pan, air impelling means secured in said housing adjacent said absorbent means, a substantially U-shaped baffie forming a display compartment secured in said housing, said bafile being spaced from said shelf to form an air passage having said coil therein, said U-shaped baffle having legs spaced from the walls of said housing, sets of oppositely inclined louvers in said legs and the legs terminatin adjacent but spaced from the top of the display compartment to form an unobstructed passage for air over the compartment.

6. The combination of claim 5 and air flow control means operatively connected with said air impeller means.

JOSEPH JOHN SCHMIDT. LOUIS L. POPKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,280,765 Kramer Oct. 8, 1918 1,397,392 Amend Nov. 15, 1921 2,152,291 Starr Mar. 28, 1939 2,257,374 Fritz Sept. 30, 1941 2,313,510 Bortz Mar. 8, 1943 

